TMG Marketing & Publicity Performers in the musical
"STOMP" pound infectious rhythms out of everyday items such as
Zippo lighters and trash cans.
By Barbara McGuire
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Thanks to some inspiration from “STOMP,” a market
for tutors on how to play a plastic grocery bag may be opening
up.
In Los Angeles for a short three-week engagement through April
15, the amazing “STOMP” performers make music out of
such obscure instruments as a plunger or an empty Big Gulp cup,
awing audience members and sparking desire to join in the show.
Taking an initial cue from the lead performer, who encouraged
viewers to clap their hands with him in a Simon Says manner, guests
on opening night later added their own clapping input whenever they
got excited.
Such cacophony did little, however, to interrupt or faze the
rhythmic masters of “STOMP.”
Throughout the evening, such choreographed chaos was the flavor
of the show. Just when it seemed as if complete madness overtook
the stage and performers were doing their own things, all would
burst out in sync and take the audience by surprise.
The opening number, for instance, featured seemingly
unchoreographed sweeping and stomping of standard brooms, but held
numerous well-designed moments. It appeared as if each performer
was moving about the stage randomly, but the movement proved to be
deliberate when all the members flung out their brooms, trading
them with partners clear across the stage.
Startling and well-executed moments like these had the audience
yelling out whoops of approval time and time again.
In addition to cheers of congratulations that could be heard
from the crowd, joyous laughter erupted at the truly comical
skits.
Each performer donned a different personality, which could be
seen not only in their style of dress, but also in the way they
performed, adding to the hilarity of “STOMP.”
One of the more humorous characters appeared to be a
stereotypical nerd. At various moments throughout the evening this
character would suddenly turn into a territorial rooster. When any
of the other performers ventured into his personal space, this
character would caw and attack.
During one number in which the instruments of choice were
newspapers, this performer actually ripped his paper into two
makeshift wings, and proceeded to “fly” around the
stage.
What was really amazing, however, was not the way the performers
incorporated humorous moments into the show ““ although they
were wonderful. Rather, it was the way they truly made music out of
ordinary objects of everyday life.
When the performers took to the walls to bang on pots, pans,
road signs and the like, the cacophony that resulted was
surprisingly beautiful.
Who would’ve thought that such unorthodox instruments
could create such an amazing sound?
Many scenes seemed to teach audience members how they could
discover rhythm in mundane objects.
Performers would emerge with an object, such as a matchbox, and
gradually get a feel for the noisemaker before wowing the viewers
with their practiced talent.
This discovery of rhythm in their own lives was further
solidified in the end when the audience members actually provided
the background beat for the performers. After being instructed on
several different variations of clap and snap beats, the audience
was left on its own as the performers showcased complex moves.
After such a rousing introduction to creating sound, it would
not be surprising if the demand for instruction on how to make
rhythm with everyday objects increased.
MUSICAL: “STOMP” is currently
on-stage at the Wilshire Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly
Hills, through April 15. Performances are Tuesday to Friday at 8
p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30
p.m. Ticket prices range from $32 to $57 and can be purchased at
any Ticketmaster outlet or by calling (213) 365-3500.